Terror informants get P22M reward

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Ten people who helped the military either kill or capture 12 terror suspects and Communist rebels over the past years have been given a P22-million reward, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday.

The informants, who wore mask to hide their identities, personally received their reward money in ceremonies led by AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence Maj. Gen. Francisco Cruz and AFP Civil Relations Service chief Maj. Gen. Tenefrancia.

One of the informants got P7.4 million for helping the military find Abu Sayyaf leader Ghumbahali Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu, who was killed in an airstrike in Parang town in Sulu last Febuary.

Fourteen other Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah members were killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, P5.6 million was given to another informant who helped in the capture of New People's Army leader Allan Jazmines in Bulacan last year.

"The message here is that the people are helping, volunteering in providing information for the neutralization of these criminal elements," Cruz said.

"These people (neutralized personalities) have cases, all these have warrants of arrest, that's why they were put on the wanted list. This means that everyone is helping to end terrorism and criminality in our country," he added.

"The monetary reward is a recognition and appreciation of their bravery in helping to curb criminality," AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said in a statement.